The City of Eugene Parking Services is sponsoring a Mario Kart game tournament that will support services for homeless youth throughout the community.
Every year, hundreds of Eugene and Springfield students are faced with homelessness. In 2017, 325 Bethel-Eugene 4J youth experienced homelessness and identified as unaccompanied minors. Of those, 90 dropped out of school.
The game tournament supports 15th Night, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting unhoused youth enrolled in school in Eugene. Statistics show that youth remaining on the streets 15 or more nights are more likely to become chronically homeless. The organization aims to educate both youth and community members about how to intervene in a situation where a student may be experiencing homelessness. The goal is for no Eugene-Springfield students to drop out of school due to homelessness.
As part of these efforts, 15th Night is partnering with local schools to develop a homelessness prevention curriculum suitable for area middle schoolers. Part of the funding raised through the game tournament will support the production of an educational choose-your-own adventure video game that teaches youth how to get help and find safe alternatives if faced with unhealthy living situations that may otherwise lead to the street.
Event Details
- When: Saturday, October 6, 2018
- Where: 22 West 7th Avenue, Eugene (in the commercial space beneath the Parcade Garage)
- Ages 7-11
- Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; tournament runs from 12-3 p.m.
- Entry fee: $10
- Ages 12-18
- Doors open at 4 p.m.; tournament runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
- Entry fee: $20
- Online Registration
- Facebook event
Other activities available will include King Pong as well as games from Level Up Arcade and experiences by Giga-scapes. Refreshments will be provided and the grand prize winner will receive a new Nintendo Switch.